After setting the streets ablaze with controversial comments about Jay-Z, The Clipse, Young Buck and Pharrell in the December/January issue of Complex magazine, Lil’ Wayne recently called in to DJ Absolut’s Hot 97 show in an attempt to temper his words.

During the 7-minute interview, Weezy addresses comments he made to Complex about Jay-Z.

“I don’t like what he’s saying about how he had to come back because hip-hop’s dead and we need him. It’s not your house anymore, and I’m better than you,” Lil’ Wayne told the magazine.

When asked to explain, Lil Wayne explained that he didn’t like the concept that Jay-Z’s comeback album was built upon the notion that Hip-Hop is dead.

“I think I speak for everybody when I say it’s not dead as long as I’m still dropping albums,” Lil’ Wayne told DJ Absolut.

Wayne also disclosed that some of the comments stem from the brief courtship between him and Roc-A-Fella last year when he his weighing his label re-signing options.

“I want people to just look at it like that dude who came out of college that was supposed to get drafted by the #1 team, which was Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam,” stated Wayne. “They passed on me and now I with a good team and a good coach and of course on every interview I’m gonna cut down the team that didn’t pick me.

Lil’ Wayne also stuck to his position that he is a better rapper than Jay-Z.

“I’m better than this game,” Lil’ Wayne declared. “We could be having this conversation about any other person in this game. It was who I was asked about at this time. Yall trying to build a case on me. But I tell you what. If you build a case against me and take me to trial, I will beat it.”

In addition to Jay Z, Wayne also had choice words for The Clipse and Pharrell saying, “”I don’t see no f—ing Clipse. How many years them n— been around? Who the f— is Pharrell? Do you really respect him?”

Upon hearing his comments, The Clipse took to the airwaves in WWHV Hot 102.1 FM in Virginia to respond to an already tense situation.

“Wayne, you sort of copying The Clipse right now,” Pusha T told DJ Derrick Da Franchise. “I think he made a bad judgment call and just decided to take a swipe at us…maybe he’s got an album coming out. This is a small thing to a giant, he’s just acting out.”

“If anything, I am upset about him using the F word before my name, being as though he likes to sit around and kiss men. If you gonna kiss men, you can’t even use them words in conjunction with The Clipse, Pharrell, or any of the [Star Trak ] family. He’s definitely acting out right now. Jay-Z? Do what you gotta do. But involve The Clipse? You don’t want to do that. I already don’t look at him like a G. He aint nothing like me.”

Steve Rifkind, who heads up SRC Records, was honored yesterday (Dec. 6) by the 10th Annual Mixtape Awards for his lifetime achievements in the music industry as an executive.

The luncheon was held in Harlem, New York at Ginger’s restaurant and boasted attendance by such rap luminaries as Irv Gotti of The Inc., David Banner, representatives for Akon and others.

The event was a pre-Mixtape Awards luncheon with an intimate group of insiders, well-wishers and friends of the music mogul.

“Regardless of any difference me and Steve ever had, I don’t think that I would be the type of person or the type of star that I am without Steve. A lot of people didn’t believe in the South,” David Banner told AllHipHop.com.

Banner was Rifkind’s first signee to SRC.

“Its easy to jump on the South now, but Steve was 100% behind me, because nobody believed in him. With him coming from the Loud [Records] situation, we both had something to prove,” Banner said.

A representative for singer Akon echoed similar sentiment stating that Rifkind took a chance with the little-known Senegalese-born crooner.

Rifkind’s Loud Records broke popular acts like Mobb Deep, Big Pun and Wu Tang Clan in the 90’s before folding in 2002.

He would go on to found Street Records Corporation [SRC], which houses David Banner, Akon and Remy Ma.

Rifkind stated that the honor had a particular distinction for him, coming from the Justo Faison-founded Mixtape Awards.

“It means a lot. Justo was a really good friend,” Rifkind stated. “SRC is really close to the mixtape community.”

Justo Faison was tragically killed in a car crash in May of 2005 while traveling on the road in Richmond, Virginia.

During a speech to attendees, Rifkind alluded to a business arrangement with Irv Gotti, but refused to disclose any details later.

“We’re working on some things and that’s all I can say.”

Tonight (Dec. 7), The 10th Annual Justo Mixtape Awards will be held at the Apollo Theater in Harlem.

The awards are hosted by DJ pioneer Red Alert and Rifkind will be officially given the Mixtape Top Executive and Lifetime Achievement Award in front of the entire audience.

For the 2006 awards, nominees include DJ Green Lantern, Clinton Sparks, Camilio and DJ Drama, The Game, Chamillionaire, Young Jeezy, Young Buck and Papoose.

Mary J. Blige scored big at yesterday’s (December 4) 2006 Billboard Music Awards, edging out competitors in nine categories including Artists of the Year, Song Of The Year and Album Of The Year in the R&B/Hip Hop category.

“I’ve never received this many awards at any time in my career, ever,” Blige told reporters backstage at the award show.

Blige who is still riding high from the success of her 2005 release, The Breakthrough, which has sold over 2.6 million copies domestically, is also set to release Reflections – A Retrospective, a collection of her greatest hits and previously unreleased tracks on December 12.

“I remember a time when all my fans were crying and sad and going through hell,” Blige said as she reflected on her winning night and the significant change in direction of her lyrical content. “Now, we’re trying to uplift each other and accept ourselves for who we are, even if nobody else does.”

Rihanna joined Blige in the winner’s circle beating both Blige and Beyonce for Best Female Artist. “That was a tough category,” admitted Rihanna when she accepted her trophy. New jack Chris Brown won Best New Artist Of The Year as well as artist and Male Artist Of The Year.

Blige also rounds out the year with Mary J. Blige & Friends, a special CD/DVD of duets featuring Elton John, Patti Labelle, Santana, Jamie Foxx and LL Cool J. The two-disc set, available only at Circuit City, will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

On the hip-hop side, T.I. took home five awards, including Rap Artist Of The Year, Rap Album Of The Year, Rap Album Artist Of The Year, Videoclips Of The Year and Rap Songs Artist Of The Year.

Ludacris and Pharrell also took the stage to perform “Money Maker,” while Young Jeezy performed “I Luv It.”

Lil’ Wayne is taking shots at everyone, including Jay-Z, Young Buck, The Clipse and Pharrell Williams in Complex magazine’s new December/January issue.

The self-proclaimed “best rapper alive since the best rapper retired” apparently has revised his position. During an interview with Complex, Weezy revealed that he now feels he’s second to none on the mic.

“I don’t like what he’s [Jay-Z] saying about how he had to come back because hip-hop’s dead and we need him,” Weezy told Complex. “What the fuck do you mean? If anything it’s reborn, so he’s probably having a problem with that. You left on a good note, and all of the artists were saying, ‘Yo, this is Jay’s house. He’s the best.’ Now he comes back and still thinks it’s his house. But we fucked bitches in your bed already. It’s not your house anymore and I’m better than you.”

Weezy F. Baby also took advantage of this interview to respond to Buck’s recent comments:

“I don’t give a fuck about what he thinks or said,” Wayne declared. “I’m rich! I’m something to talk about. He should have been promoting his album. These niggas know where I’m from. I’m from the city of death, nigga. We kill niggas for nothing. That’s why they’re doing it on radio stations and interviews. Them niggas see me and shake my hand and tell me, ‘You the best, dog, keep doing that shit.’”

Wayne also sounded off on The Clipse and their longtime producer Pharrell, belittling the group’s achievements and ridiculing the super producer’s taste in clothing. “I don’t see no fucking Clipse. This is a fucking legend you’re talking to right here. How many years them niggas been around? Who the fuck is Pharrell? Do you really respect him? That nigga wore BAPE and y’all thought he was weird. I wore it and y’all thought it was hot. What I gotta go in the store and say, ‘I like these colors but I can’t buy them because other rappers wore them?‘”